Magic Cactus Scales Grocery Presence with Higher Potency Edition

Scottsdale-based functional beverage brand Magic Cactus is expanding its reach with the Higher Desert Edition, a limited-run, higher-potency sparkling cactus water. Following a sold-out pre-order phase, the 7mg THC and 7mg CBD drink is hitting shelves at Sprouts Farmers Market stores in Texas and Florida this September.

Corp and Tech·September 17, 2026·reads: 1,686

The launch marks a strategic shift for the company, which has spent the last year establishing itself as a leader in the hemp-derived beverage category. According to SPINS data from the first half of 2026, Magic Cactus captured the top spot in the hemp THC beverage set at Sprouts, a retailer that now accounts for 40 percent of the brand's total distribution. The new Mojave Berry flavor offers a more robust, single-serve experience compared to the brand's lighter, micro-dosed core line, while maintaining a low-calorie profile with no added sugar.

Founder and CEO Jonny Locarni views the expansion as a validation of the brand's grocery-first philosophy. By positioning the product alongside traditional beverages rather than in smoke shops, the company aims to normalize THC consumption as a casual social option rather than a niche alternative. This growth strategy has yielded a 200 percent increase in year-to-date wholesale revenue compared to 2025. Supported by follow-on investment from Chicago-based Listen Ventures, the brand is now navigating a complex regulatory landscape, advocating for clear standards that differentiate low-dose hemp beverages from high-potency cannabis products as federal oversight matures.